Rev Jim's Chip Carved Treadle Lathe

Back in 2002 I decided to make a treadle lathe. By then I had acquired all of Roy Underhill’s books and had studied them pretty well. I had been a fan of his PBS program, the Woodwright’s shop, since it came on the air. I had always admired his commitment to use hand tools and his use of a homemade treadle lathe. I used common lumber to make it such as 2×6’s and 2×4’s. When I finally decided to do this, I had already learned how to do chip carving through a class by Wayne Barton.

Here is my rendition of the treadle lathe featured on the Woodwright’s Shop and in Roy’s books. For me it was an accomplishment to make all the parts work as well as to achieve something that was beautiful to look at. I especially am referring to the problems that come with getting holes to be all aligned and compensating when wood moved here and there. My lathe features thrust ball bearings and even an idler. Instead of a rope pulley, I found a leather shop to make me a leather belt. By the time the carving was done, stained and the polyurethane dry it looked like more than a piece of woodworking equipment for me. Hence, my son’s comment to me when he first saw it,”Dad you made a machine into a work of art”.

Brian and Tony, I do a fair amount of turning like you all. Tony, your chess set is pretty cool too. My thing is making Windsor chair legs and when I need to crank them out I use electricity—oh well shame on me. But seriously, when I’m doing demonstrations or goofing around I use a foot powered lathe. One of my eccentricities, I guess.

That is really neat! I’ll bet it feels good to use a machine that you have built.My old boss said that You appreciate it more if you make it yourself. He was referring to doing government work in the toolroom and yes we did appreciate it morre!!!!!!!!!!!!!

..................Jim

-- Jim Jakosh.....Practical Wood Products...........Learn something new every day!! Variety is the Spice of Life!!